valentine's day 

attire.

DRESS TO IMPRESS ON THE

 FLIRTIEST DAY OF THE YEAR.

MEN

<<Be handsome. Go for a sleek and sophisticated look with dark colors and sharp cuts. Be classy and let your outfit show that you're a gentleman. Don't just love the one you're with, love what you have on.

Impress with shoes. Try something different by wearing sophisticated shoes that will dress up your outfit. Don't worry, she'll notice.

Go for a grandpa cardigan. Take some advice from an old folk and look rich in a comfy cardigan that will invite a little snuggling.

Basic is best. Resort back to a classic button-up, but find one that stands out and is in a strong color.

Pair it with a watch. Wear a watch that looks more expensive and isn't your typical hiking watch. Let it look sleek.

Get comfy in cords. If you want to be semi-casual, wear corduroys in a color that will compliment your outfit instead of clashing with it.

WOMEN

>>Be pretty. Be flirty, but classy. Be careful on how much skin you show and don't wear the same attire you'd wear out to a club. Show him your softer side.

Try ruffles. Only choose one item in your outfit that has ruffles so you don't overdo it.

Say Yes to red. It's cute to be playful with V-DAY colors and rich patterns that celebrate the day.

Add accents of lace. There's no better day to wear a little lace than on the Day of Love.

Be comfortable. Don't look like you can't move in your outfit. You can still look beautiful by trying silky dresses that have movement.

Don't be afraid to be daring. Jumpers are the latest and greatest of the trends, but there's no reason to avoid them on V-DAY. You can still look sexy and sleek.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Be Friends With Your Neighbors

It's easy to forget about staying connected with other countries, but as the most diverse country in the world it's time to gain more knowledge and awareness. You don't have to take diversity for granted, especially with the 11th Annual Festival of Friendship in Cerritos at the Los Cerritos Center.

There will be a handful of performances from different cultures and local community groups on a number of stages throughout the Los Cerritos mall on February 6, starting at noon. Gifts will even be given out during intermission at each performance. Songs, dancing, and other entertainment will be on each stage, with other benefits like California Pizza Kitchen hosting a craft session at the Sears Stage from 12PM-3PM. Each child that decorates a CPK pizza box will receive a free bookmark from the restaurant.

Performances will include flute music, hula dancing, and performances by Puniwai Hula, Ballet Folkorico of Mexico, International Peace Choir, Na Wahine O'Cerritos, and and more than you could count on your two hands.

There will be a total of three stages in the mall, one in front of Forever 21 in the main court, another at the Sears Court, and the third in the East Court near California Pizza Kitchen.

For more info, visit www.shoploscerritos.com.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Mag

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

band review: beyond conception

To survive in the music industry as an independent band is close to impossible, but somehow Beyond Connection is making it happen. They've dabbled in The Knitting Factory, The Coach House and Chain Reaction, while opening for names like Hellogoodbye, NOFX and Marcy's Playground. You might have heard a few of their songs on MTV and Nickelodeon.

With six years of being a band under their belt, they've managed to form a group that resembles Maroon 5, but one that isn't afraid of doing their own thing. Their lead singer (Justin Abrams) rocks out while playing the piano, with three other members. They sing of how this world will "make you into a man" and question deeper things like if there's "life after life."

There's a vulnerability to Beyond Conception's lyrics that make you want to listen to the ideals and how they wrestle with their own lives through their songs. Their latest album and the third for the band, "Stix & Stones" was released in September and has more of a rock and roll twang to it than their previous ones. "The Shoe Shiner" is the best song on the album with Abram's energy and passion with the rest of his posse's instruments blaring away like a modern jazz melody. He's not afraid to let his voice let loose and hits plenty of notes to impress almost anyone on the three albums. Sometimes his voice seems a bit strained, like on the song "Come Between Us," but the piano and drums make up for it and is refreshing to hear for a pop/rock/jazz band.

Beyond Conception is currently touring throughout California, but have jammed in China and have been in the studio with notable figures in the music industry, like Jack Douglas. Jim Wirt, producer to Fiona Apple, Incubus, and Jack's Mannequin calls them "...beautiful, raw, and elegant..." while Dean Deleo from Stone Temple Pilots says, "the music draws you in with it's melodies.

Although the music of Beyond Conception is self-produced and doesn't sound as professional at times, Beyond Conception could be one of the best independent bands out there. There are definitely hints that they're still trying to make it big, like they're PayPal donation button on their MySpace page or how you can find them doing self-promotion in So Cal, but in a lot of ways they're gaining more attention than signed artists. Their passion is unique and something hard to find, even in Hollywood.

For more info and tour dates, visit www.beyondconception.com.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Help Save The Planet With Volcom

If you're one of those people who never win anything (don't we all feel like that sometimes?), then maybe it's fate you're now hearing about Volcom's new contest where you can help save the world. They're partnering with L.E.A.F. (Leaders of Environmental Action Films) for an ECOmmercial Contest for all high school students in Orange County.

The contest is for teens willing to create a 30 to 60 second public service announcement aimed at bringing to light an environmental concern, one they can choose on their own or any from a list of suggested topics that includes recycling, sustainability, organic farming, or clean oceans.

Contestants are free to participate individually or in groups, but are encouraged to let their creative juices flow in the project.

Winners of the contest will get cash prizes, $1,000, $750, and $500 for the first three winners. The three panels for judging each commercial will be a of people's choice through online voting, a Volcom panel, and even a celebrity panel.

It just may be worth your time, considering that winners will also be invited to see their commercials at the Newport Beach Film Festival's Environmental Documentary Series in April '10, and will even appear in a Volcom Commercial on Fuel TV. If that doesn't impress you yet, winners will even be able to attend a L.E.A.F. celebration and bump shoulders with celebrities, pro athletes, and environmentalists.

Free your art and get creative so you can earn your fifteen minutes of fame and bring other people closer to environmental care.

If you want to throw caution to the wind and participate, then visit www.volcom.com/LEAF.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

FOREVER 21's NEW KID'S LINE

Just when everyone thought Forever 21 couldn't get any bigger with their expansion from their standard stores in the malls to department stores with several levels, they've proven us wrong with a new kid's line.

It makes sense, Forever 21 is a store most people of all styles and both genders can shop at, they really have improved in the last few years, even if you have to pick through some of the cheap items.

Now their kids' line will be for ages six to 14, called HTG81. Although the title is interesting (and I'm not sure where the 81 comes from), the line is debuting today, January 29, and will be offered in select stores nationwide and on the store's website.

The boys seem to have the advantage, with trendier items and cute pieces like bow ties and vests for prices like $5 - $18. The girls seem to have less items and plainer prints to choose from, but can still get cute skirts and dresses that are age-appropriate. Maybe the girls' line will expand more once things get rolling.

Visit www.forever21.com/htg81.com to see their latest additions in the new HTG81 line. (They even offer a few deals here and there on the website.) Supposedly, new items will be featured every day online, so there's much to look forward to!

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

All You Need Is Love (and a Beatles Concert)

Just because The Beatles are dead doesn't mean seeing them in concert has to be. You can still see the closest thing to a live performance by attending Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles. It's award-winning and you can feel like a groupie for a good few hours like your parents did, even if it's not the real thing.

The show will be held at the Orange County Performing Arts Center from May 23-28 in Segerstrom Hall, with ticket sales beginning on January 31, starting at just $20.

Rain is a band composed of four middle-aged men who look, sound, and talk like The Beatles, even wearing the most memorable costumes by from their most popular appearances. You can hear them sing classics like "Hey Jude," "Yesterday," "Revolution" and "Come Together," but don't expect it to be a show with people your age. It's more of a family show event than something for the younger generation, yet still takes you back in time.

Rain has been recreating The Beatles' music for 20 years, everything from their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and all the way through the '60s when they became long-haired hippies. Rain is made up of four band members -- Joey Curtolo (as Paul McCartney), Joe Bithorn (as George Harrison), Ralph Castelli (as Ringo Starr) and Steve Landes (as John Lennon). They also have a backup member, Mark Lewis, rocking out on the keyboards and percussion.

Tickets are available at www.OCPAC.org or by calling (714) 556-2787. You can also visit the Center's Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, or by calling their direct line at (714) 556-2787.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com